equipment
Equipment is one the things that has changed the most in the Tour De France. As discussed earlier helmets have evolved over time to provide more ventilation, to be more aerodynamic, and to provide more safety. Other equipment has changed greatly such as: cycling shoes, cycling jerseys, cycling shorts, lightweight cycling socks, goggles, heart rate monitors, repair technologies, shoes with clips, GPS systems, and radios
(http://www.mec.ca/AST/ContentPrimary/Learn/Cycling/TripChecklists/CyclingTouringChecklist.jsp).
In the past the jerseys, and shorts were made of wool, which is extremely heavy and unbreathable compared to the lycra and chamois jerseys and shorts which are lightweight, have base layers, pockets, absorb sweat, and prevent chaffing. The athletes can also use compression socks, or lightweight socks made of the same synthetic materials the jerseys are made of to improve sweat absorption (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_shorts) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_jersey).
The shoes have also changed significantly since the Tour De France’s introduction. Most riders in 1903 would wear traditional shoes, that served no purpose other than being footwear. But as the bike developed, new pedals were introduced called clipless which simply attach to a specific shoe that allows for more efficient pedalling, and less energy consumption. These shoes can also be strap on or ratcheting to ensure that they stay on
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_shoe).
All athletes in the Tour De France have a heart rate monitor to ensure that they are not pushing themselves too hard, and to ensure that they are not going to injure themselves. These athletes also use GPS systems and two way radio receivers to ensure that they follow the correct path, keep an eye on pace, communicate with the rest of their team, and keep the tour moving quickly and efficiently as possible
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_rate_monitor) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System).
(http://www.mec.ca/AST/ContentPrimary/Learn/Cycling/TripChecklists/CyclingTouringChecklist.jsp).
In the past the jerseys, and shorts were made of wool, which is extremely heavy and unbreathable compared to the lycra and chamois jerseys and shorts which are lightweight, have base layers, pockets, absorb sweat, and prevent chaffing. The athletes can also use compression socks, or lightweight socks made of the same synthetic materials the jerseys are made of to improve sweat absorption (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_shorts) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_jersey).
The shoes have also changed significantly since the Tour De France’s introduction. Most riders in 1903 would wear traditional shoes, that served no purpose other than being footwear. But as the bike developed, new pedals were introduced called clipless which simply attach to a specific shoe that allows for more efficient pedalling, and less energy consumption. These shoes can also be strap on or ratcheting to ensure that they stay on
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_shoe).
All athletes in the Tour De France have a heart rate monitor to ensure that they are not pushing themselves too hard, and to ensure that they are not going to injure themselves. These athletes also use GPS systems and two way radio receivers to ensure that they follow the correct path, keep an eye on pace, communicate with the rest of their team, and keep the tour moving quickly and efficiently as possible
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_rate_monitor) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System).